
Class t-?>(^^ 
Book "T/up 






• •« 



Tlie Alarm, Tnimjpeh 



J ^y^ 



^7 



DISCOURSE 



BELIVERED AT BERKSHIRE, SEPT. 9, 1813. 



THE DAY OF THE 



NATION AJL JbAST, 



APTOIJrrEB BY THE FRESIBEJSTT, OJV ACCOUJ^T 



OF 



THE WA] 



BY JOHN TRUAIR, 

I, ' 

LATE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN CAMBRIDGE, VT. 



fVhosfiever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warn.' 
ing; if tfie sword come and take him away, his blood sJiall be 
uj)on hts own head Jehovah. 



PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. 



MONTPELIER, Vt. 

PJilNfEB er WAL-ro^ S^ GOSS, OCtOBSK> 
1818. 






ADVERTISEMEiNT. 

NO apologj- is offered for the publication of this Discourstj 
but the anxious solicitations of many fi-ipnds. Since it is offer- 
ed to the public, the author feels an assurance that by the gen- 
' erous mind, he shall not be condemned unlieard. He most ear- 
nestly solicits that his readers would, not only give the sermou 
a candid, and a dispassionate perusal ; but also, that if practi- 
cable, tliey would obtain and carefully peruse the authorities 
here cited ; and then decide for themselves whether these 
things are not so. If, by means of this, one wavering should bo 
established : or if one unbelieving should be, convinced, his la- 
bors will be amply compensated. From any essential error, 
^vhen pointed out, he Avill most cheerfully retract. The cour 
demnation of the whole, >vith a sneer, jvill be suffered to pass 
anuotieed. 



P 



-■) 



A DISCOURSE, 6jc. 



JOEL, II. 1. 

SOUND AN ALARM IN MY HOLY MOUNTAIN; LET ALL THE IN- 
HABITANTS OF THE LAND TKEMBLE. 



Bv 



the command of God two silver trumpets were made 
by Moses for the benefit of the cliihlren of Israel in the wilder- 
ness. These were to be blown, at the calling; of their assemblies; 
in all their days of ajladness, and in all tlieir solemn days. But 
in times of danj^v'r, tlie trumpets were to be blown, and an alarm 
sounded in tJie door of the Tabernacle. This to Israel was 
made an ordinance forever; and it is evident, that to this prac- 
tice the Prophet alludes in the text. " Blow tlie trumpet" says 
he " in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain." Zi- 
on, or the " holy mountain," is the Church; in this, therefore, the 
alarm is to be given. Accordino-ly the tabernacle, from which 
the alarm was sounded, was in the center of the congregation, or 
Church of Israel. But who was to sound lliis alarm? It was an 
ordinance of Israel, that the priests should sound, and give warn- 
ing, when danger was at liand. Hence, God said, when he sent 
<he sword upon the land, if the watchman did not blow the trum- 
pet, and give the alarm, and the sword came and took away any 
of the people, their blcod should be required at the watclinian'.s 
hand. It was, tlierefore made the duty of tlie priests to sound 
ihe alarm. And it is equally the duty of the ministers of the 
sanctuary now, as in the days of the prophets; for it is an ordi- 
nance forever, that tlie ministers of Christ shall sound an a- 
larm in liIs Church, when they shall judge, as watchmen, that 
there is danger. I design to shew, 

I. Wlien it is the du*y of tlie ministers of Christ to sound an 
alarm in the Church. 

II. Shew, that wbeu the church sliould be alarmed, a tremb- 
ling should seize all the inhabitants of the land. And then, 

in. iVecording to the ability which God giveth, I shall vfi- 
dcavour to sound an alarm in the holy mountain, by way of ap- 
plication. 

But here v. Ill be my failing point; tlie tongue of an nncel, or 
<lie power of language must fail, adequately to express the dau^ 
ger which sits brooding round tlie Church of God. But an <'n- 
dcrstandi:ig heart, deeply iuipressod with tho Morth of tl,"' Re- 
deemer's blood, or the souls of men, beholding, with aniaipartial 
eye, in deep meditation and in silent sorrow, can best s<irvey tke. 



ainaxing scene. 



4 THE ALARM TRUMPKl'. 

But ill the strength of Israel's God. before wlioni I am soon t« 
answer for all my condnct, and particularly for all my public 
ministrations, I will proceed and remark, 

1. That the ministers of Christ should sound an alarm in the 
Church, when infidelity and mockery prevail in the world, and 
Avhcn tlie love of many waxes cold. 

Infidelity dishoiiours God and condemns his cause. It is cal- 
culated to ruin the Church, and lO introduce universal anarchy 
and confusion into the world. The distresses of the last days, 
are ascribed to the infidelity which shall then prevail. The 
reason why the love of many should wax cold was. because that 
iniquity should abound. To prevent the sheep from straying in 
such a time, an alarm must be sounded in the sheepfold. 

2. The ministers of Christ should sound an alarm in the 
Church, when she is cast out into tlie open field to the loathing of 
her person; when truth is rarely to be found, and when justice 
is fallen in the streets. 

Then " dangers, snares and the pit are on every side." That 
in which safety and prosperity depond, is cjiven into the hands 
of her enemies. Slie is deprived of the means which God has 
appointed to build her up. If in this situation she calls for relief, 
one will pass by on the one side, and another on the other; and 
she is told, that relief in this way does not belong to her. She 
calls truth to testify to her claims; but it is not to be found: it 
is perverted and made to subserve the purposes of her enemies. 
^Iie calls justice to plead her cause: but justice is slain, and fall- 
on in the streets, and cannot come to her assistance. If he at- 
<eii)pt to speak, he is at once, stamped in the dust by violence 
and oppression. She looks " for righteousness, but behold a 
cry." She is despised and counted as a thing of nouglit: tlie con- 
tempt of the world, the filth and the off-scouring of all things. — 
Then saith the Lord, " Sound an alarm in my holy mountain." 

3. An alarm should be sounded in the Church, wh'Vi the min- 
isters of the Lord Jesus are condemned as the >ilest of men. 

The messengers of tlie Lord of hosts were anciently vilified, as 
the cause of all the public calamities, with, which a sinful people 
were visited. One was called, a " (roublerof Israel.*' Another, 
" Weaketied the hands of tiic men of war, ati.l the hands of all 
the people." by telling them the truth. A third, was put in pris- 
on, and '• fed with the !)read and the water ofajjiictiun,"' because 
he .-'onld not in trutli prophecy " «».7/ good'' concerning those in 
anthoritv. A fourth was worthv to die, because he " Taua-ht all 
rsicn. every where against tlie people and against the law.' 
Yet those very men, who were thus \ ilified, are sonie of the most 
apy.roved examples of piety whieh Me have in the Serijjture; 
*^omc of the most eminent servants of God. >Vhen such is the 
fact, it ".s a time of ahinn; for God has sworn by his holiness that 
..he will visit for sucli things, and that hi'^ soul shall be avenged 
on a nation that n-ill doit. God is then despisqd in his miviaters: 
i'or so jius the Saviour declared: " Jle that desju^^dh you dc^^piseth 



THE ALARM TRU^VIPET. " ^ 

ute. and lie that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent wi?."' When, 
therefore, such contempt is cast upon tlie Great Sliephcrd, by 
vilifying the under shepherds, surely every lover of the flock 
will cry with a loud voice, " Souud an alarm in tlie holy moun- 
tain!" 

■i. The ministers of Christ should sound an alarm in tho 
Church, when wickedness and imbecility are characteristic of 
the nilers of a nation. 

The Church is deeply interested in the prosperity of the na- 
tion. Every thini^, therefore, which is calculated to destroy that, 
is an occasion of alarm to the Church. Wicked rulers, especial- 
ly infidel ones, always have been, and always will be the scourge 
of God upon any land, for " When the wicked beareth rule, tho 
people njouni.'' Imbecility, also, in rulers, brings down a woe 
upon the land, for it is written, " Woe to thee O land, when thy 
king is a child." When such is the situation of any land, m ill 
not all the inhabitants cry with one voice " Sound an alarm in 
the holy mountain.^" 

5. The ministers of Christ should sound an alarm in the Church 
when the sword is sent upon the land and the people plunged in- 
to all the horrours of w ar. 

It was because of War that the command of an alarm was giv- 
en in the text: and probably the ultimate view of the Prophet 
extended to the present wars which distress the nations of the 
earth. The context says, that the day of the Lord comes, and 
that he musters his host like a man of war; that he utters his 
voice before his army; that his camp is very great, and that he 
is clothed m ith strengtli. He calls upon the nations his enemies, 
to beat their plough-shares into swords, and their prnning-hooks 
into spears, and then to proclaim, (however weak and contemp- 
tible in his sight) that they are strong. Then will the mighty 
ones of the Lord come down, and the battle w ill be like burning 
and devouring fire. The day will be a day of clouds, gloominess 
and thick darkness. Then the command is, blow the trumpet 
and sound an alarm in the holy mountain. This command is to 
be obeyed by the ministers of Christ in all ages; for it is said 
concerning the watchman, " If when he seeth the sword come up- 
on the land, he blow the trumpet and warm the people: then 
whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and t;-krth not 
warning, if the sword come and take liim away, his blood shall 
be upon his own head. But if the icatchman see the sword come, 
and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not irarned; if the 
sword come, and take aicaj/ anif person from among them, he is iaJc- 
enaicai/ in his inicpdty; but his blood will I require at the watch- 
man's hand.'^ Ezekiel xxxiii. 3, 6. 

Here is a solemn decision to tlie inquiiy, whether the minister* 
of Christ should, in times of war and calamity, warn the people 
of the surrounding dangers? If they would avoid the sin of blood- 
guihiness, when they see the sv.ord come, they rAvM sound an a- 
iarmj for then, there is danger that many will be. taken away 



THE ALARM TRUMPET. 

in their sins, and hurried as in a moment to the judgineni seat. 
Afafhcr, a brother, era friend may betaken away with a 
stroke: Yea, the brother may deliver up the brother to death, the 
father the son, and a man's foes may dwell even in his ow n bo- 
som. Wives, si*ter«, and daughters may be destined to abuse, 
insult, cruelty and deatli, by an uufeelina; and relentless soldiery. 
Peace, prosperity, and happiness, may all be buried in one com- 
mon grave; for destruction upon destruction is cried, and the 
•whole land is covered willi mouniing. No music is to be heard, 
but the horrid clangor of arms, the warriour's song, the shouts Of 
Ticf ory, or tlie groans of the dying. 

A\ iili sucli scenes before their eyes, it should seem tliat all 
would he anxious to hear an alarm from the messengers of the 
Lord of hosts. A stranger to our ruined race, viewing from 
some distant star such scenes of human w retchedness and woe, 
must be astonishingly amazed, that all did not cry, with Jinceas- 
ing voice, for an alarm from the w atchmen in the holy mountain, 
and for a trembling over all the land; for he must know for cer- 
tain that the Lord had a controversy with such a people. 
It was proposed, 

n. To shew, that when the Church should be alaimed, a trem- 
ling should seize all the inhabitants of tlie land. 

Tiic alarm in the text is commanded for the purpose, that all 
the inhabitants of the land may tremble at the warning voice of 
God, «hicli tells tliem that their crimes are gone up as a testimo- 
ny against them, and also assures, that God is about to visit such 
things, even visit their iniquities upon them. Then they are 
in danger of loosing tJieir wealth, their friends, their life, their 
hope and their all ; for the Lord aj)pears their encniy, and strong 
is his arm. Men will not be able to deliver, when God shall deal 
with the nations. Angels w ill not be able to afford relief in 
such an hour; and devils will be unnhle as well as unwillbi^ to 
rescue the souls in distress ; for it is to the <lay of the calamity of 
the wicked tliat they look with peculiar deliglit. 

That the inhabitants of the land are in dan2;cr of loosing all 
things when it is a time of alarm in tlie Church, appears, 

1. From tlie consideration that God supports the whole world 
for the sake of the Church which he has phmted in it. 

There are many prophecies in tlie Sciipture which assure us 
that the Church is to l»ccome uui\ersal and fill the world ; that 
(he kingdom and the greatness of the kingdom under the Mhole 
hcavcTi, is to be given to the jteople of tlie saints of the Most IJigh 
God; thfit the kingtiom of Clirlst is to break in pieces and de- 
stroy all other kingdoms. For tlie hastening of tins period, the 
saints continually pray; and God preserves tho world fioin de- 
struction to fisllii this gracious promise to his children. >\'lien, 
in the anti-dcluvian state, the earth l>ecame gcrerally corrupt, and 
despised the grr.cc of God, he destroyed it by a flood of water ; 
and the world Avhlch now is. by the .sflmeworr/ which destroyed the 
old world, is reserved inito f:ro. against the day of nerdtlion of un- 



c- 



THE ALARM TRUiMPET. f 

godly men. In answer to one prayer of Moses, God once spared 
the whole nation of Israel. To the saints, we are assured, belong 
all things ; the world, and all which it contains ; tlie>/ are the saU 
of the earth. Sodom cuuld not be destroyed while just Lot was ia 
it. No more can the world, while it is tilled uith the righteous. 
But remove them, and the auger of God would instantly consign it 
to deAouriag fire. 

'J. All siiould treuible when it is a time of alarm in the Church, 
because, if J!J(ignieiit hegi:. at the housL- of God, it is certaiu that 
the end uill be among them that obey not the gospel. 

The man uhom Ezekiel saw commissioned from God to slay 
both old and young, male and female, began at the sanctuary and 
slew uiierly all who had not the signature of God. Ezek. ix. 6, 7. 
And from the sanctuary he went in the city, ax\d executed the just 
vengeance of hea>en. The apostle enquires, '' If judgment begin 
at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of 
God r^ If, then, judgment begin in the Church, and it be a time 
of alarm there, let all the inhabitants of the land feel, that it 
\k ill soon be manifest, that the Lord has a controversy Mith them; 
and that with ihem, soon the messenger of destruction will com- 
mence his strange work. Then all knees shall be weak as wa- 
ter; every heart shall melt; and all shall tremble for fear of the 
things which shall come upon them. 

But 1 hear the command, " SOUND AN ALARM IN ^^V 
HOLY MOUNTAIN,'' and in obedience, I proceed, 

HI. Accordins: to the ability which God a;iveth, to " sound an 
alarm in the holy mountain," by way of application. 

But, thou Spirit of grace and of holiness .'here thy special aidy 
and thy guardian pirotection is most humbly implored, that our 
minds may be led to nothing but the tndh, and that, that may he im- 
pressed with everlasting weight itjMu every heart. 

Be it then remarked, 

1. That infidelity and mockery prevail in the world, and the 
love of many waxes cold. 

It is true that infidelity has prevailed, more or less, in all ag- 
es ; but it is reserved for our times to behold the horrors which 
infidelity canspread through the world; and to read the blood-stain- 
ed annals of Atheism and Democracy. Illuminated Atheism and 
modern Democracy appear to be twin sisters ; or rather, different 
species in the same genus of iniquity. A settled hostility to re- 
ligion,* the subversion of all moral feeling and moral obligation; 
"with an insatiable thirst for human blood, appear to follow in 
their train as the governing appetites in their natures. To ac- 
count for this conduct, recourse must be had to their principles. 
Their general sentiments appear to be nearly the following : 

* This remark ivill not apply to all who profess modern democni- 
cy; but only to the principles and those who approve and advocate 
the doctrine of the lUumiuQes. In regard to this cojm&xion mamj 
are doubtless de<:«ived. 



« THE ALARM TRUMPET. 

That the works of nature do not bespeak a God; but are cnlV. 
the necessary effects of matter difterenlly diversitied: and tliai the 
soul is but a cliimera; that we cannot know whether a God reallv 
exists, or whether there is the smallest dijference between virtue 
and vice; that Christianity yields none but poisonous weeds; that 
there is no siicIj thing in nature as modesty, and tliat the command 
to love one's parents is more tlie work of education llian nature; 
that tlie fear of God is the beginniii!^ of folly; that all religion is 
instituted for the acquisiliori of power, and that tins must be crush- 
ed, before man can be emancipated from the shackles of tyranny 
and ignorauce; that to accomplish this object, a person's own pen- 
etration and judgment are absolutely and fully to be renounced; that 
there is notliing criminal in the promiscuous intercourse of the 
sexes, and that nothing is sin, but tiiat which ultimately produces 
mischief; that suicide is lawful under pressing dangers and ca- 
lamities, and that the end sanctifies the means. Pasons Proofs, 
P. 34, 50. 73. 95. 225. note, 123. 96. Such are some of the 
leading sentiments which the llliiminati Societies profess, and 
■which they inculcate upon the minds of all who come within their 
reach. As the necessary fruits of these principles 1 will now 
briefly mention some of their practices in the enlightened repub- 
lic of France. As it was said that the enemies of religion had 
deserved well of mankind, it was ordered by the convention, fliat 
a monument should be erected to the first priest who should ab- 
jure Christianity in the temple of reason. It was resolved, by the 
council of Paris, that all temples for religious worsliip should be 
instantly shut, and that if any person should request that they 
might be opened, he should be put under an arrest as a suspicious 
person; and that the priests and ministers of religion should be res- 

i)onsibie for all the trouble and danger that should arise from re- 
igious motives. This was emphatically making them responsi- 
l)ie for every possible crime; and it appears from their history 
that with peculiar rancour they persecuted this class of their citi- 
zens. 

Gamier wrote to the Convention in December. 1793, thus, " I 
have caused eight priests to be drowned." In the month following 
lie wrote again, in this manner, " Ninety priests ha^e just been 
brought to me, and I have drowned them which has given me 
great satisfaction.'' Not only these, but twenty four thousand 
priests, many of whom were protestants, have falleii a prey to 
their relentless fury. They taught the people to despise God by 
publicly denying his existence, and applauding the youth when 
they openly declared that they detested him. They burned their 
Bibles in the pul)lic square, tore down the images of Jesus and 
Mary, and filled the vacant nitches with those of Reason and Lib- 
erty. To obliterate entirely the remembrauce of sacred things, 
and especially of the Holy Sabbath, in October. 1793. a new cal- 
ender was proposefl and adopted; and on this new adopted Sab- 
bath, they api)ointed festivals to imaginarv gods. The magnifi- 
cent Church of St. Genevieve at Paris, was by the national con- 



THE ALARM TRUMPET, 9 

Veiled into a Paniheun or heathen temple. Here they depositwl 
the remains of tlicir great men. To this the bones of A altiiirb. 
and Rossean were conveyed in sohMnn and uias;nificent procession. 
Tlie l)ones of Voltaire were placed upon the hi2;!i altar, and in- 
cense was oifered to them, while the infatuated multitude bowed 
down and worshipped, before the relics of this arch enemy of our 
liord .lesus Clirist. They adored a female as a deity and sung 
to her their repnblieail hymns : burned prayer books and every 
tliin<>' appropriated to the use of public worship. They broke 
open prisons, and inhumanly murdered their prisoneis. They 
slaughtered old and young, male and female, babes and suck- 
Jiugs. V'ea, tbey "'ripped open (he wombs of mothers ; tore out 
the palpitating embryo, to deck the point of a pike of Liherti/ and 
Eqiuditi/.'^ They murdered two millions of their population: a- 
mong which are reckoned two hundred and fifty thousand wo- 
men : two hundred and thirty thousand children. 

An able writer remarks, '•• The conflagration of one thousand 
eight hundred and twenty towns, villages and hamlets, in one por- 
tion of its own territory ; the deliberate assassination of women 
and children by hundreds, and by thousands ; the horrid pollu- 
tion of female victims, expiring or expired ; and the establish- 
ment of a tan-yard under the auspices of government, for man- 
nfacturing leather out of the skins of the murdered citizens, are 
fact>, which exclusively grace the blood-stained annals of the 
Gallic Republic, and give to the revolution a dreadful preemin- 
ence in guilt." The marriage covenant has been totally disre- 
<^arded. In the year 1793, one hundred and fifty divorces took 
place in Paris every month ; occasioned by the decree of the 
convention. Theatres and balls were instituted at their head- 
quarters, to keep the soldiers from mutiny ; these were places of 
debauchery, Vvhich occasioned the murder of many new-born in- 
fant*. Mothers, regardless of the natural fruits of their own 
Iwdies, would willingly deliver them up to the slaitghter. A 
monster also by the name of Phillippe, once harrangued the mul- 
titude with a box in his hand, on patriotism ; and declared that, he 
considered the man who preferred the ties of blood and of nature 
to patriotic duty, an aristocrat worthy of death ; and then, to 
convince them of the sincerity of his patriotism, he opened the 
box and held up by the hair the bloody and shrivelled heads of 
his father and mother, which, said he, '• I have cut off, because 
Ihcy would not hear mass by a constitutional priest." The 
speech of this notorious parricide received the loudest applause.* 
This is emphatically being " icifhout natural affection.'' Such, 
we are assured, must be in the last days, and such they are : their 
belief and their practice are of the same general description. This 
is that infidelity which should alarm the people of God ; and 
vvhich should fill the sinner with fear and trembling; for sure it 
is, that (jod will be avenged for sueh scenes of blasphemy, cruel- 
ty and human \\ roteheduess. 

* Payson^s Froop, pages ,219 — 227.— JNTyf^s. B 









fO . THE ALARM TRUMPET. 

Let ii uot be said, that French conduct does not particularly 
concern us in these things: for we, as, a people, have drunk deeply 
of their poisonous principles, whicli have spread almost into ev- 
ery nation under heaven. Their sentimenls are not unfrequently 
broached by great men in our own country. 

Mr. Jefferson, it seems, is perfectly inditterent, as to the belief 
of mankind on religious subjects, when it does uot interfere \yith 
his own personal aggrandizement or interest. If it does not 
break his leg or pick his pocket, he cares not whether a man be- 
lieves in " 710 God, or in tu-enty gods.^^ He says that, in Penn- 
sylvania, and in ]Ne« vork thev have various kinds of relisiou 
supported, " hut all good enough ; all sufficient to preserve peace 
and order.''* Such remarks in their very nature are calculated 
to bring the Holy Scriptures into contempt and disrepute : for if 
they are true, it is of importance that men should believe in them, 
and in tlie one only living Jehovah wliich they teach us, is the 
only Ciod in which man can believe with safety. Hence to say, 
thi'.t it is nothing to me, wlietlier a man believes in no God or in 
twenty gods ; is to say that it does not concern me whether the 
Scriptures are true or false. This is one bold step in French 
philosophy, and is corroborated by the remark, that, " all kinds 
of religion are good enough.'^ Is tlien the religion of Jesus no 
better than that of Mahomet ? Is orthodoxy no better than here- 
sy ? Is llie one ev-jtially calculated to '■'• j-H'cscrve peace and order'' 
as the other ^ Then is Christ dead in vain ; your faith also is 
vain, and von are vet in your sins. 

This same great man, in another place,t recommends to par- 
ents not to let their children read the Bible, nor to have them in- 
structed in it, till they &hall be able to judge of religious things 
for themselves. But in their youthful days to put into their 
hands some of the heathen writings, and store their young minds 
with those things which would be entertaining, from such Morks 
as have a natural tendency to prejudice the mind against any 
thing that is sacred or divine. 

Others in the same spirit of opposition to all sacred things, de- 
clare it to be their opinion that, " so long as our temples stand we 
cannot hope for order or good governmeiit.'^ And when they be- 
hold our temples, are ready to point to them and with the utmost 
scorn and contempt exclaim, " Look at those painted nuisances.''^ 
Let the feeling of such hearts be gratified, and soon, as in France, 
all our temples for religious worship would be shut ; and the 
man who soould dare request that they might be opened, would be 
considered worthy of death. But not only are there a multitude 
of individuals, who hold and inculcate such principles, but there 
are actually societies established for the express purpose of des- 
troying all religion, and of bringing the country into a state of 
complete anarchy. 

* <J\''otes on Virginia, pages 216, 219. Trenton tditioti. 
t A%/('s un Virginia, pages 200, 201. 
t 'Memoirs of Jefferson, vol. U, ;a 96. 



THE ALARM TRUMPET. 11 \ 

As early as 1786, a lodge of the lUuminees was estalillshed in 
Portsmouth, yir2;iiua, which is a branch of the Grand Orient of '' 
France. Tiiis Iodide wns then designated by the name Wisdom, 
and was numbered as the reguhir descendant of tlie Grand Orient 
2660th. Many of the members were emigrants from France and 
8t. Domingo. Tliey kept a deputy resident at tJie motlier lodge 
in France to give, and to receive communications. From tl»is 
many other similar societies Avere formed. "The Grand Orient 
of JVewyork" is of the same nature, and is derived from tiie moth- 
er lodge of the same name in France. From this was established 
a lodge by tlie name " UNION,'' being the fourteenth of tliis se- 
condary stock. 

The societies of '• United IrishnienJ'^ in the United States are 
of the same description; and are formed for the express purpose 
of carrying into elfect the all-desrroyiug principles of Revolution- 
ary France.* These were composed principally of criminals and 
vagabonds who had escaped the hand of justice in Europe, found 
shelter and protection in the United States ; and tlien set up for 
Liberty ; and pretended that by their superiour w isdom they 
should soon illuminate and emancipate mankind from all the 
shackles of superstitioH and ignorance. It is also worthy of re- 
mark in this place, tliat, the numerous Democratic Societies 
which have been, and probably are still in the United States, 
are on good grounds supposed to be of the same description, and 
tending to produce the same end.f These were first established by 
Genet, a French minister, fresh from the liof beds of Illumin- 
ism in France. The coals of strife, sedition, infidelity and dis- 
cord which he strewed in this once happy country, were for a 
time measureably quelled by the vigilanee of our immortal 
Washington. But they were soon blown up again, by Fauchet 
and Adet, two succeeding French ministers, and by the factious 
party which was already organized in the country. The busi- 
ness of these societies, is, by a specious pretence for the liberties 
of mankind, to sap the very vitals of all religion ; and to over- 
throw every system of government which is calculated to make 
man a friend to his fellow man, and a lover and a fejirer of his 
God. 

Tins is that modern system of infidelity and mockery wliich 
prevail in the world, and which should make all the inhabi- 
tants of the land tremble. In this land there is reason to believe 
that tliis diabolical mischief is spreading. The destruction of 
the Churcli is evidently its object. Secretly plotting what will 
be the most cft'ectual measure to bring it into contempt, and those 
whostrenuously advocate it to shame; the miscreants always touch 
ihe subject of religion (if at all) on half way ground. This in- 

* Faysoii's Proofs, pages 197, 198, 208. Memoirs of Jefferson, 
vol. 2, p. 91, .52. 

t Fayson's Proofs, p. 205. Memoirs of Jefferson, vol. i, pages 
115—117. 



1^ I'HE ALARM TRUMPET. 

iijfidclitv is abundant in our laud, ivliich clearly eviuces, that Me 
Iiave drunk, deep indeed of the ])oisonons principles of French 
FhUosophij, LIBERTY AND EQUALITY. As a necessary re- 
sult froiu such principals, practices uo less pernicious have fol- 
!o\Aed in their train. 

IJnt ae;ain. I here the command, " SOUND AN ALARM IN 
MY HOLY MOUNTALN ;•' 1 therefore, remark, 

2. That the (Tuireh is cast out into the open field to the loath- 
ini:; of her person, truth is rarely to be found, and justice is fallen 
in the streets. The Chuch is cast iuto the open held, when there 
is none to defend it in a time of calamity ; and when it is depriv- 
ed of those means which God has instituted for the support and 
defence of it. 

"NVhcn God established the Church among; the children of Israel, 
he gave it as a law, that all should contribute their portion of 
what they possessed for the support of it. None were called by 
their name, who did not endeavor to build up the cause of Gorf. 
E^ en proselytes and slranp;ers that sojourned among them, must 
support every man according to his ability. It was net with 
them, left optional to a man what he should give, but was par- 
ticularly prescribed by their laws, whicji assigned every man his 
portion. ? 

In the days of the apostles, also, all who were called by the 
name of Christ, distributed their substance, for the Support and 
defence of tlie cause against the nations and government;; 
w liicli were their enemies. They had laws and regulations, which 
to them, were government ; and all who were reckoned of their 
wuiiiber were in subjection to them. It was not then pleaded 
that religion must support itself without the ajjpointed means. 
It was realized that the '• Ial)ourer w as worthy of his hire :"' that 
God had "ordained that they who preached the gospel, should live 
of the gospel :'- that they '* could not preach*' except they w ere 
sent, or supported by the friends of religion ; and ihat the chris- 
tian religion w as to be spread and defended by a preat-lted n^ospel. 
All who were called by the christian name were in some degree 
f^ensible of these truths, and this sensibility governed their eon- 
duct. But for us it is reserved, to behold a great people, calling 
themselves christian^ denying the necessity of these means ; and 
in too many instances conducting accordingly. Many w ill neither 
support the gospel themselves, nor sutler others to do it, atlcast, 
if they can prevent it by their example. They say, " God will 
lake care of his own cause, will mc have nothing to do with the 
support of it." But they will go further than this, even to deny 
the propriety of having the least coine.viun. between government 
iind Christianity, in a country denominatirig itself christian. This 
is a i-'opular r;entiinent in this land : and is an engine ^^ith which 
the enemies of religion have played with much success. By j)ro- 
pagatiiig and urging this as a gospel sentiment, they have cast 
religion i'.ito the back gnmnd ; and the Cluirch into tin- open 
field without her appointed means of support. The minds ^f 



THE ALARM TRU>1PET. 13 

peo])le have been inflamed by declamations against supiMMliug 
reli2;ion by tlic laws ol" the laii'd, t»» that degree, that there; is pro- 
bably no subject that would slop tlie ears of many, quicker tl'.au 
to confront, this darlr:}^ sentiment, how erroneous and auti-chris- 
tian soever it may be. But that civil government and Christian- 
ity have no connexion with each other, in a cliristinn land, where 
is tlie evidence ? Continental Europe, or her history, does not af- 
ford it. It is not sliewn in the u hole history of the eliililren of 
Israel. It is not exhibited in tlie prophecies of the last glories 
of the Cluuch on eartli. If then, it exist at all, it is only in 
some illuminated minds of modern times, iiut, ;;rant the princi- 
ple, and the consequences will be such as many m lio profess it, 
would not like to admit, and the prospect such as must not confound 
their vision. The principle admitted, the dividing line is drawn 
between religion and government. There is, henceforth, no 
jnore intercourse between them. Now they are at open war ; 
and that government which is at war Mith Christianity is not, and 
cannot be a christian government. The sentiment then places 
all government at this day on the side of anti-christ; for it is 
written " He that is not for me, is against me.''' Here then is 
the origin of the sentiment. It is an anti-christian sentiment ; 
and ail the pri^cties which are built upon it, are such 
as are approved by anti-christ. The man, therefore, «ho 
iinderstandiiigly embraces it, so far at least as his sen- 
timents can speak, is declared to be an anti-christ. Gospel 
sentiments are directly the reverse of this, and gospel feelings 
recoil from it as from a deadly enemy. ^Vith what zeal do i 
hear every heart that is touched with a gospel temper or feeling, 
pray for the hastening, and the accompiislimcnt of this promise 
to the Church of God .^ '• Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the 
Gentiles ; and set np my standard to the people ; and they shall 
bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried 
npon their shoulder. Jnd kings shall be thy 7iursing fathers, and 
their queens thy nursing mothers.''^ Isaiah xlix. 22, 23. Nursing fa- 
■ thers and mothers, support and defend their children. If then it will 
be the duty of those kings and their queens, to nurse the Church; 
or, if it ever was a duty for them to do it ; for the same reason 
it is, and always has been the duty of every government to do 
the same. Hence the sentiment is against the gospel, and of 
course anti-christian. It is also, further manifest that it was 
first systematized by modern anti-christs ; and is now principally 
maintained by the adherents of French politics and French phi- 
losophy. 

In this way the Clunch is cast into the opeii field ; and one 
very important truth is cast down to the ground ; and if j«.s/ice 
could hefmu'l it would be a satisfaction to the nprlglit man. But 
instead of this, every iir^ginary crime which may be alleged a- 
gaiust an individual who professes rjligion, is at once charged 
npon the m hole Church ; or at least they all justify the crime be- 
cause they will not, contrary to every law of Christianity and the 
dictates of comxuon sense, condemn their brother unheard. And 



^ 



' li THE ALAKM TRUMPET. 

in nildition (o al! l!iis, (lie most scandalous crimes are chargeil 
Vpon (lu: ministers and friends of (Mirist at this day ; even such 
as have not so much as a semblance of truth. It is not unfre- 
<ineutly reported, that they not only Aiolate the hnvs of the Iiind, 
l)(it to give liu'ir a;uilt a deeper dye, they will even encroach up- 
on the JiOid'sday: or in other Mords, that they will smuggle, 
(as it is called) and justify smuggliug on the holy JSabbath ; and 
that too, without one shred of evidence, only Clamoritufi and Fu- 
ricitor has said it. Then their inhnite satisfaction is exj)ressed 
1)ecaUse government is not in the hands of christians. Here then, 
is one great source of our political divisions. One will have it 
that religion, or true mox-alily, is essential to good goveniment ; 
the other will contend that rclisiion is not necessarv, but that 
men, destitute of religion, are as good for rulers, if not better than 
those who have it. Keligion is the principal subject of conten- 
tion. I'liis contention is far from being confined to this country. 
The ])resent wars which distress Europe, are evidoitly between 
Christs kingdom, and the kingdoms of antirchrist :* and it is be- 
lieved that the dift'erence in this country is of the same general 
nature. By this, it is not meant, that all on the one side of the 
great political question are real christians, and that none, on the 
other are ; but only this, that the different causes are opposites. 
Individuals may be, and j)robably many are deceived. The truth 
can rarely be iound ; and when found, it is not easily embraced. 
Every thing is believed ; every thing is denied. But we are told 
that our " temples are painted nuisances," and that we '• cannot 
have liberty and good government till the Church is putdown."t 
Those who have such feelingof heart, whether it be an individual 
or the spiiit of a party, must be anti-christ and should be avoided. 

It is still commanded, '• SOUND AN ALARM IN MY HO- 
LY I^IOUNTAIN,-' and I remark, 

3r/. That the ministers of Christ are condemned as the vilest 
of men. Have not the clergy heen represented, not only as use- 
less, but as a public iniisance .^ AVhy then in the public prints, 
especially those which are the warmest advocates for war, and 
the continental system of Bonaparte, do we hear them calumni- 
ated as traitors, tories, as desiring a monarchy ; and what is still 
n>ore frightful a law relis^'lon, that they may have a good lound 
salaiT, and grow fat upon the poverty of their neighbors } — AVhy 
then were they in favor of the American revolution, if they were 
desirous of liaring an oppressive government established .'' No, 
the leverse of this is their known character. It is because they 
r.re opposed to the present cramping system of Democracy that 
tlipT arc d'/nyunced as the vilest of men. Thev w ill nvi worshiji 
" LIBERTY AND E(giUALITY,- the Diana of modern philos- 
ophcra and jac(d>ins. Hesjce says that little Star, [.A^jrs/jfl^w'r] 
that glimmers in the hemisphere of Danville, '• they are the 

* Faber on Prnphecies, Vol. I. Chat. n. 
t Memoirs of Jefferson. Vol. II. p. 9~. Pa>j;o:i^$ I'roofs. p. 213. 



THE ALARM TRUMPET. * 15 

uearest allied (o the lawyers who arc always in the ilcvirs ser- 
vice." If a minister oi' the 2;osi>el emltavors to expose the wick- 
edness of the great fulks^ he is at once denounced an '■ impious'^ 
person. A writer known by the sii^nature of the " New-Kui;land 
Farmer,'- has pnblislicd many scandalous and scurrilous thin;;s 
against (he ministers of Christ. The downfall of federal cleri;y- 
nien has loni^ since been j)redict(.'(l in the Worcester Paper; 
and to accomplish this prediction recourse has been had to the 
vilest of means. Those who have most diligently souujht it, havo 
abounded in what D'Alembert calb '■^ bows to reli'i-ion.-'' They 
have always professed the greatest possil)le veneration for reii^- 
ion, while at the same time, they have been endeavorina; to run 
down its ministers, by representing them as hostile to the hap- 
piness of their country. But we slionld do well to remember 
some of the favorite maxims of the illnminees; that they "■ must 
recommend religion, and for the reality substitute Jleason and Lib- 
ertif ;" and that their opposers '• must he GAINED OR RUIN- 
ED." For this purpose every stratagem and invention has been 
nsed. Attempts have been made in many places to deprive them 
of their means of support. In A'ermont, if from the pittance 
whidi is given them by their friends, they have preserved some- 
thing, by "their prudence and economy, for their families against 
a time of need : wliich with their polls shall amount to one hun- 
dred dollars, rateable ])roperly, they must be taxed, lest they should 
become rich, and should lord it over the poor. Will it be asked, 
why they should not be taxed as well as other men ? I Mould in- 
quire: is then the principle, to make them, in these things, like 
other men ? Why then the ditierence of the one hundred dollars ? 
And why not compel them to do military duty, to labor on the 
highways, and in all things make them like other men ? No, the 
object manifestly is, to keep up a semblance of deferanee and 
respect, and at the same time to bring them by degrees into dis- 
repute, and the holy gospel into contempt. Soon politics become 
tlic dividing Hue between a federal clergyman and a democratic 
society. If he camiot comply with every requisition of a hot 
headed jacobin, he is not only, at once de-iounced as an aristo- 
crat, w ho can no longer be fellowshipped ; but the very words of 
truth become oifensive when proceeding from his lips. Thus at 
last, politics are made jhe only test of orthodoxy. But what 
l)olitics are these which thus disturb the peace of the Church ? 
It has already appeared to be a branch of that modern French 
philosophy which discards all divine revelation. Hence it is a 
branch of that enemy of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will 
eventually " consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy 
by the brightness of his coming." Here then let all adopt the en- 
ergetic language of the prophet. " O my soid, come not thou into 
their secret : into their assembly, mine honor he not thou imited.'^ 

15e not deceived, for many '* shall I'ollow their pernicious 
ways," and by reason of their devices the way of truth shall b;; 
evil spoken of. If then we would not see the'sceues which have 






iti THE ALARM TRUMPET. 

been acif d in France, acted over again in this land: let us bewai" 
that we do not patronize those who walk in tlie paths which led 
to tlieir distresses. Let ns not licar, as au idle tale, the hase insin- 
nations against the Church and messengers of the Lord of Hosts : 
IJut with indignation and horror tnvn from that man who dares 
thus des])ise divine and everlasting things. 2\tke heed, therefore, 
how ,/e hear. 

My ears arc again Saluted with, " SOUND AN ALARM IN 
MY HOLY MOtJNTALN," and 1 must remark, 

■ith. That w ickcdness and imbecility appear to be characteris- 
tic of our rulers. 

One w ho is wise in heart and wonderful in counsel ploclaims, 
" AYoe to thee, O land, w hen thy king is a child." Rulers who 
are children '• in ignorance, fickleness and caprice, are a sore 
judgment of God to any nation ; especially, when the nobles, who 
ought to be able and active statesmen, begin and spend their days 
in sensual indulgence." 

When, therefore: the government of a nation devolves on such 
persons, we should feel that the Lord is displeased w ith that na- 
tion, and all proper means should be used to avert his indigna- 
tion. An alarm should tiiPii be souiided ; it should be lieard by 
the people, and a proper attention paid to it, lest judgment fafl 
upon (hem suddenly. 

Will these remarks apply at all to the present rulers of the U- 
nited States ? 1 would they could not in truth be applied. But 
who are our present ruh'rs I' Mr. 3Iadison is President ; Mr. Ger- 
ry Yice President ; Mr. Monroe, Secreretary of State, and Mr. 
Gallatin Secretary of the Treasury. Every man of them oppos- 
ed to Wasliinglon and to his aduiinistration. 

Of Ml'. Gallatin we are informed, beside his constant attach- 
ment to the French faction, that he was once the mfa}nons leader 
of an insurrection and rebellion against the constitution and gov- 
ernment of the United States. 

Mr. Monroe has almost universally manifested the purity of 
his heart, by his constant adherence to French polities, and op- 
position to the purity of \Vashington's administration. His late 
report, however, in justification of the conduct of the President, 
clearly brings to view "tlie hidden things of dishonesty," which 
lurk within his breast. But more of this anon. 

jNIr. Gerry's character may be drawn in some measure from 
his opposition to the eonslitution of the tinited States, from its a- 
doption ; and from his approbation of the division of senatorial 
districts in Massachusetts. 

On the humanili/, justice, and political integ^ritii of Mr. Madi- 
son's heart, let the followijig memorable words of his stand as a 
comment. S(ieaking of the manufacturing subjects of Great Brit- 
ain, he savs, •• TJiere are three hundred thousa)ul souls who live by 
ourcustoni? LET THEM BE DRIVEN TO POVERTY 
AND ]>^^SPA1R, and what will be the consequence .- Most 
probably an accession of so many useful citizens to the United 



THE ALARM TRUMPET 17 

Stales."* Sucli a spirit, breathins: delight inhuman wretchedness'^ 
never yet eseaptMl from tJie lips oi' Washington ; and there is no 
reason (o believe that it ever found a place in his heart: and yet 
we are fold that Mr. Madison is truly VVashingtonian. Many are 
taught lo believe that he pursues the administration of W iishing- 
ton ; and hence that all who are opposed to his, ore equally op- 
posed to that and the constitution. But a very small pittance of 
acquaintance with the history of our leading men, will convince 
almost any rational man, thatfjom the beginning they have been 
uniformly* oj)p()sod to Washington and U\^ administration ; if not 
to everij essential property of the constitution. It appears fi-oin 
Mr. Jefferson's letter * to Mazzei,t that he^ considered the 
constitution to he ^^ the form''' of the British government : and 
.also tliat it was no better for the preservation of the confedera- 
tion of the States than " lilliputian ties,''^ which he reconunends 
republicans in that same letter to break lest they shoxild soon 
have imj)oscd on them " the substance" as well as " the form" 
of the British government. In the same letter also, he brings 
ihe cliarge of TREASON AGAIJVST WASHINGTON, by 
representing him as being entirely under British influence ; and 
as endeavouring to establish an ^' Anglo-Monarchy^^ in the Unit- 
ed States. Could the mail who would do all this, be the friend 
of Washington and of his administiation .^^ Certainly he could 
not. But we shall be told that Mr. Jefferson has repeatedlj^ spo- 
ken in the highest possible terms of respect for Washington ; .and 
that in many instances he has highly commended his administra- 
tion. I reply ; that this is all true, and more also ; for it is 
doubtless true that at the death of AVashlngton lie • expressed 
much sorrow and regret; and also that he wept over his grave- 
But it is evident that his were the tears of the Crockodile. He 
w eeps at the death of the man, whom in his life-time he calum- 
niated as worhty of death. His pretensions to veneration for 
Washington are contradicted by his sentiments, which may be con- 
sidered the feelings of his heart; by his conduct and in many in- 
stances by his words. If not, why do we hear that Great wan, 
calumniated in Frenean's ^^ JVational Gazette,^^ printed under the 
special inspection, and by the pecuniary aids of Mr. Jefferson ? 
Why did he pay Calendar for writing " The Prospect before us,'" 
in which Washington and his administration are most shamefully 
abused and misrepresented ; and in which are many exhortations 
to the people to forsake him and his policy .'' Why did he ap- 
prove of Hawkins' work in favour of the doctrine of the lUumin- 
oes. and request liim to publish it for the benefit of the people of 
the United States ?^ Such are facts wliich stand on the pages of 
history, to drove the sincerity of Mr. Jefferson's pretensions to es- 
teem and veneration for W^ashington. As might be expected, liis 



3 

# 



Memoirs of Jefferson, vol. i,p. 473. 
t Memoirs of Jefferson, vol. 2, p. 3. 
\ Memoirs of Jefferson, vol. Up. 96, 110. Vol. 2, p. 95, 
C 



ib THE ALARM TRUMPET. 

^\liole administration was in perfect opposition to that of Wasliing- 
toii ; ai:d tJiat of Mr. Adams, Mhicli in general vas appioved by 
Washington. ^^'J;en !Mr. Madison came to tlie Presidential 
ejiair. lie followed carefully the steps of his predecessor, and 
sought not counsel at the mouth of the friends and polit- 
ical adherents of Washington. The embargo, non-importa* 
tion and non-intereoiirsc laws have followed in their train, as the 
leading features in the administrations of these t«o Great men. 
" Measures," as a certain writer remarks, *•' more suited to the 
capacity of a qnaek physician, whose genius never wandered be- 
yond the circumference of a bill-box or a gallipot, than to the dig- 
iiily of deliberative men \vo hare to consult only the happiness 
and safety of their country." Who but persons bewildered with 
a wild fancy of reciving glory and ha])piness by the accomplish- 
ment of Bonaparte's continental system, could have imagined 
that to lay an embargo, non-importation, &. in the United States, 
would liring to terms by starvation, a nation who has it in her 
power to monopolize to herself the commerce of the world.-' Yet 
this has been the imagination of onr rulers t or at least they 
have endeavoured to make the peo[»le believe that they expected 
these measures would bring the British to their terms. To do 
this more effectually, they carried their non-intercourse into ef- 
fect against Great Britain exclusively, without the j)rovi5?ion pre- 
scribed by their own law for that purpose, being cou'.plied with on 
the part of France. That condition w as " an ejf,'ctiml rei'oca- 
Piu7i-^ of her decrees of Berlin and Milan. On the 2d of Nov. 

1810. the President proclaimed to the world, that the French de- 
crees ■<\ere repealed on the first of said month ; that is to say, 
the daif before he issued Jiisploclamation. Tl-.e non-intercourse ac- 
dordiiigly went into effect against Great Britain, February 2d, 

1811. The Federalists contended that the Duke of Cadore's 
letter of the fifth of August 1810, did not authorise the President 
to issue his proclamation- They insisted that it was only a trick 
of the French government, to dupe the government of the United 
States into a war with England. 

The Democratic Goveruours and new spapers, on tho contrary, 
declared that the decrees were repealed : that it was not Ameri- 
can to question the correctness of the President : and that he 
undoubtedly '* possessed ample vidence on the subject.'- Not ma- 
ny months passed, however, before a peep w as obtained from be- 
hind the curtain. March 3ist. 1811, five months after the Pres- 
ident issued his proclamation, Bonajjarte declared to his council 
of commerce, that the decrees of Berlin and Milan were the fun- 
damental laws of his empire : and that if the United States did 
hot conform themselves to these decrees, their ships should be 
driviM fiom Ills empire.* In the mean time the French priva- 
teers continued to burn and to destroy American vessels as be- 

* See address nf the minaritif in Coi^g^i'ess on the subject of the 
Sedaration of war. 



J 



THE ALARM TRUMPET. 19 

fore. Ill this state of suspense and jui^^le things \verc,kept until 
May, 181:2, when a decree of Napoleon appeared, fomidinl on the 
act of Congress of Mareii 2d, ISll, aiiil dateil the 2sth of April 
in the same year ; declaring; tlie iierlln and Milan decrees to be 
definitely repealed from tlie tst of Nov. 1810. In this situation 
it was evident to all the world, who would receive the truth at all, 
that tliere was either a consummate trick played upon our gov- 
ernment by that of France; or that ours was under the influence 
of theirs ; and in all things acted according to the will of JVapo- 
leon. But by tbe democratic party it was still maintained that 
there was no French inlluence nor trick in the case ; but that the 
decrees are repealed according to the proclamation of the Presi- 
dent ; that he had the necessary information ; and that he would 
not in his otticial character come toward and in the face of the 
world proclaim an absolute falseiiood. No more would they ad- 
mit that he was capable of being deceived by Bonaparte, lint 
by virtue of Mr. Webster's resolutions, the Congress of the Unit- 
ed States was prevailed upon to call on the President for this 
" ample information''^ whicli he possessed in relation to the repeal 
of the Freneli decrees. And when it comes to light, behold ! it is 
nothing but Champaguy's letter of August 3th, ISIO, whicli has 
always from that time been before the public. 

Mr. Monroe's report, which casts such a world of light upon 
the subject, here deserves some attention. 

The whole of the report appears rather to be taken up iu vin- 
dication of the present v.ar, tlian iu giving any information res- 
pecting the repeal of the decrees of Bonaparte. Indeed, it ap- 
pears from the report that tJiere was no information which could 
be given iu relation to tliis subject. - But Mr. Secretary in one 
jnemorable instance at least, hxes an absolute falsehood upon the 
Duke of Bassano : yet he endeavours to justify, as much as possi- 
ble, both governments. But his particular drift appears to be en- 
tirely to justify every thing which the President has done. In 
this vindication, however, of the conduct of the Executive, 
strange as it may seem, he endeavours to make us believe that the 
French decrees were actually repealed the' 3th of August, ISIO. 
and also, that they did actually cease to operate on the Ih'st of 
November following ; not withsinnding burnings, confiscations and 
.condemnations of American vessels and property which took 
place posteriour to tlie first of November. A great deal of amus- 
ing stuff, whicli many people take for real argument, is used in 
trying to shew that the repealing decree of ^lay, 1S12, pretend- 
ing to be of April ISli, related to, arid was in confirmatio;i of tlie 
conditional declaration of the Uuke of Cadore's letter of August, 
1810. If in the conduct of any man, there was ever a juggle 
practiced, here appears as trange^one in tlse conduct'of Mr. Mon- 
roe. Does he then suppose that the people of America are such 
tame and credulous beings, that they will believe, because he 
has said it, that om official act of any government iieeds another 
CQ confirm it ? If so. let him remember, that Americans are neither 



THE ALAR]M TRUMPET. 

Jifiicans, uor Dutchmen. But this is not all. Hc'endeavoiirs. ir» 
addili'j'j, to make us believe that the highest kind of evidencfe 
which there can be of the acts of any government, is the declara- 
tion of their minister. Would Mr.* Secretary by this give lis te 
understand, that an act having passed both hoiises of Congress, 
audhaviue; received the sanction of the President, is of no mortj 
validity, or that it carries no stronger evidence uith it, than any 
letter written by himself as secretary of state ? ]f so, he will give 
us a very diftereut idea of the power of the secretary, than we 
l)ave heretofore conceived. Finally, as one remarks, the report 
appears to be '• nought htit a mass of diplomatic slang, of condi- 
tions precedent, and conditions subsequent ;" and that" a bolder 
attempt to mislead the public jiidgnmit has never been practised in 
anij nation'^ Not unlike a timid female, who in a lit of hydro- 
y»hol}ia exposes all who are embarked with her, appears the con- 
duet of Mr. Monroe in this case. Conceiving that he had a 
difflcult road to travel, he takes groat pains to ride safely the per- 
ilous way ; but unfortunately he upsets and defiles the whole 
cabinet. 

Such complicated acts of pusillanimity as have distinguished 
wir administration, are scarcely to be found recorded of rulers 
in the pages of history. '• Woe to thee, O land, when thy kiug is 
a child." Already we feel the woe falling apon us, and demon- 
strating that the Lord has a controversy with us for our national 
folly. Let then these things fill us with a holy fear of Jehovah's 
frowns. 

Once more the solemn mandate is reiterated " SOUND, 
SOUND AN ALARM IN MY HOLY MOUNTAIN,' and 
the allecting language of the prophet here forces iiself upon me. 

" My bo\>els, my bowels ! 1 am pained at my very heart ; my 
heart niaketh a noise in me ; I connot hold my peace, because 
thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm 
of war. How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound 
of the trumpet ? For my people is foolish, they have not known 
nic: they are sottish children, and they have none understand- 
ing ; they are wise to do evil; but to do good they have no 
knowledge."' Jeremiah iv, 19,21, 22. This leads me to remark, 

otk. That the sword is sent upon this land, and we are invoh - 
od in all the liorrors of w ar. Yes, my brethren, 1 see the sword 
come upon the land, and would give an alarm to all the people. 
For in it I see, or I think I see, the sword of anti-christ drawn 
against the Lord of Hosts and .his cause in the world. 

The present w ar ai)pears to have been declared prematurely ; 
and now to^Jje continued w ithout any christian or adequate cause. 
T!ie time and manner of the declnrntion, in the pages of future 
Iiistojy will nearly bi<l defiance to all belief. With not less than 
<»ne thousand miles of sea coast, and nearly the same length of 
frontier bordering on ttie enemies' land : without an army ; with- 
out a navy ; without foriifications ; and Mithoiit any adequate 
nse tus to carry on an eftVetive operation ; the United Slates did. 



THE ALARM TRUMPET. Si 

^u IS 13, declare war against the greatest marliiiue nation on the 
globe. Will not a recital of such thiiip to I'liUue generations 
appear liii^e the eftusiou of falsehood ? Vet, as one justly remarks 
^' tais IS the soljer fact, without hgure or colouring." And what 
now are tiie causes for which this war is contintwd, since the de- 
crees, blockade and orders in council are repealed ? This (juestiou 
is decided t»y the President in his late message at the sitting of the 
thirteenth Congress. The impressment of seamen, he says, is the 
only obstacle which now remains in the way of au amicable set- 
tlement between the two nations. Is he sincere in this declara- 
tion ? Or is there yet, some strange, unknown ciwise for which 
]ie chooses to continue this war } Let us give this qut'stiou a lit- 
tle attention. 

In his message to Congress, he recommends the adoption of 
measures for the vigorous prosecution of the w ar. He strongly 
recommends what he denominates " an internal revenue," or 
taxes. The consideration of a proper method of increasing the 
array; and likewise some preparations for having the militia in 
readiness. From all which it appears, that he is determined to 
pursue this war fo the utmost extent of his abilities ; ami this for 
DO other reason, as he says himself, than because the British im- 
press our seamen and retain them on board her ships of war, 
Kow, as it regards the real practice of impressing seamen, and 
the causes which have led to it, Mr. Madison, is not likely to be 
either ignorant or deceived ; for he certainly does possess all the 
means of information which there is on the subject. The Presi- 
dent does know that the British have vast numbers of our sea- 
men in their service, known to be such ; or he does know that he 
and his party have made a great noise where there was but little 
reason for it. It is a fact that the British have great numbers 
of our seamen ; or there is in this thing, the most consummate 
-wickedness practiced by our cabinet. If they have such numbers, 
■why have we not been furnished with a correct and authenticated 
documen on the subject .'' Here is tlie difficulty ! It is presuma- 
hle that, such documents are not to be found in the annals of the 
nation. It is true that a round number has been made out by 
somebody from a lumber of documental jiapers and reports, made 
from tim'e to time of sir th( usand twohundre' and ffty seven. 
Tliis number is sent forth in to the people, printed in GAZING 
CAPITALS ; and the idea is conveyed that there are now actu- 
ally retained in the British service, against their inclination, 
that number of real Americans. But no document shewing the 
time, place or number in a place ; but only a round assertion of- 
ten repeated, that they have more than six thousand. This num- 
ber in the first place needed some little anualization. But the 
subject has recently been well developed by a critical and an a- 
ble member of Congress^ who has given us the documental proofs 
on the subject item by item.* The •• scaring number^^ as he calls 

* See M'. 7'aggart's Jlddress to tbe peoph of Massachusetts ov 
Impressment. 



22 THE ALARM TRUMFEr. 

it oi* riix thousand two luindred and fifty seven, he shews to bfi 
made »]) iVoin ditierent reports made at ditferent times in the 
years irys, 1805, 180B, 1808, ISIO and 1812, six different reports. 
From this '• sccwhi^ number^' are to be deduced in the first place 
live liuiidred aud forty eight, for iiu>tances i;i which the same 
persons are numbered more than once. To this is to be added sev- 
en hundred and iifty seven, being an excess between the two reports 
of 1805 and 1808. Fifteen hundred and twenty four, have been 
discharged and ordered lo be discoarged. Tliere are also found a- 
niong them five hundred and sixteen acknowledged to be Rritish 
subjects. Five hundred and sixty eight who liad no documents at 
:ill: and six imndrcd and sixty four uiiose documents were declared 
to be insufticient. Two hundred and eighty one Avho had volunta- 
rily gone into the British service. One Imndrcd and ninety five, 
v.hose protcc'lions are evidently fraudulent. Ninety five desert- 
ed. Fifty neutral aliens or natives of the West-Indies. Forty 
two who had married in G rcat -Britain ; and twenty one prison- 
ers of war. In addition to all tliese, it is found from the docu- 
ments that sixteen hundred and fifty of these impressments have 
been from Britisli ships. This accounts for more than the stat- 
ed number of impressments. But deduct from lias number eigiit 
hundred thirty one for Americans impressed from on board Brit- 
ish sliips : which is as great a number as any rational man can 
ask ; it will then leave something less than two hundred unac- 
counted for. But it is also shewn, that to the first number, 
there was two hundred admitted which did not properly belong 
to it : so that from the most careful and critical examinatioa of 
the documents, it appears to this writer [_Mr. Taggart'] evident, 
that the British have released as many impressed seamen as ars 
in good faith Americans ; though probably all may not be the 
same persons. But he demonstrates from the documents that tlie 
number of real Americans has been dreadfully, and there is rea- 
son to believe wickedly overrated. Not\yithstanding all this we 
must fight the British, becau-.a tliey will impress our seamen. 
But the right to impress our sgmmn slse has never claimed. She 
claims the right of taking own seamen wherever she can find 
Ihem ; and this claim is not peculiar to her. All maritime na- 
tions claim it, and it is allowed them by the laws and usages of 
nations. And w^e are now at war, the President says, for our sea- 
men ; but that G. Britain has gotten them does not as yet appear in 
evidence. Why has not a list containing their names, the places 
of their birth and residence, been made out and sent to the Brit- 
ish government, and a regular demand made of sucli and sue'i 
persons ; impressed at sut-h a time, and in sueli a place : born 
i\hen, in what town and state in the U. States ? This wouid bo 
a species of evidence which none could easilv deny to l>e correct. 
But i!!r;tead of this, it appears that not half the pretended im- 
pressments, reported in the documents, have any <iate as to time 
or place of abode: and wlien the places of residence are men- 
tioned, it is in many instances with no inorc precision than n^ere- 



triE AliillM TRU31PET. 23 

iy to tacnlion the stiilc. II«'Tut it is manifest tliat the case of 
impressment is known to he diftoiont IVoiu what it is represented ; 
so ihat the real cause for coiilinuiue,' the war must he sought 
somewhere else. But oven admittiu"; that this was in I'aet ihfc 
only cause ; the war appears a strancje kind ol' antidote for this 
disorder, which attbets a totally diilerciit part. 

That to release a few seamen is not the only ohject for contin- 
uing this war appears from the consideration that (he expense is 
in every point of a iew too great for the ohjcct. It is not helieved 
that the love of the Execiiiive is so great for our seamen, that ho 
Avould he at the ex])ense of this war for the sake of liberating a 
few tlozcn, (which is as many as it is helieved can he named now 
in the I5ritish service) from that inconvenience which they sulVer ; 
w ithout even a prospect of olitaining that relief. We may pro- 
hably estimate within hounds, and calculate, that if the war con- 
tinues through this season, (of which fact there is little doubt) 
ihe expense in treasure will exceed /wrf^ millions of dollars. The 
loss on (he part of the United States by death, and in prisoners 
since the commencement of this war, it is thought cannot Justly 
he estimated at less than nine thousand. What the end of it will 
he, no human foresight can determine. But this much is evi- 
dent ; wo have not as yet received much benefit. We have not 
liberated many scameii, nor conquered many provinces. Our 
wreaths also of laurels have not been superabundant, for honor 
does I'.ol oft'j!! brook to dw ell in the tents of the vanquished. 

•Some other cause then must be sought for continuing the war. 
And M hat can that be. but that sincere attachment to French 
philosophy, and French policy which have tiniformly been the 
attendants of the party now in pow er ? A little acquaintance 
with (he history of their lives, will convince us that they Have, 
aiw avs since (he revolution, had a strong predilection of France, 
and a mflst perfect hatred of the British : and have been seeking 
a war w ith her, that the plans and principles of the French might 
generally go into effect. — Why then did (hey make such an out- 
cry against the ratification of Jay's Treaty in the days of Washing- 
Ion .^ And why did Virginia tlireaten to recede from the union if 
that event should take place ? AVhy was Mr. Jefferson offended 
when Col. Burr gave him for a toast " an union (fho7iest men r" 
Why did he stop a legal prosecution against the editor of the 
Aurora for criminal conduct .'' And why did he order payed back 
to Callender a fine of two hundred dollars which was put upon 
liim by a former administration ? Why did he refuse to ratify a 
treaty with G. Britain made by Messrs. Monroe &Pinckney,whieh 
they considered an honorable one, and such an one as might with 
safety be adopted by (heU. States, without deigning to lay it be- 
fore the Senate for their consideration ? Why also did one of their 
leading men express his thankfulness to heaven for the misun- 
derstandinir which existed between Great-Britain and France ? 
Why has Mr. Madison consigned the British subjects to " pover- 
ty and despair r" And why did he at another time sav that France 



24. THE ALARM TRUMPET. 

■wanted ir.oncy, and we must give it her r* AVhy our embargo and 
non-iriportatioii ? And «hy that crooked proclamation to carry 
into ett'cc't -he non-intercourse again (ireat-Britain exclusively? 
And after ail, Avhy (he eontinualion of this self-destroying war, 
but to carry into elfeet Napoleons all-destroying continental sys- 
tem r We shall not surely be again referred to our seamen : i'or 
certainly there is little prospect of relieving them by fighting the 
provinces of Canada. If we were to take Canada, and all British 
America, the subject of impressmetit must at last be settled, (if at 
all) by amicable uegociatiou ; which has seldom been tried, unless 
in a moment of irritation joining it uilh the aiiair of the Chesa- 
peake, blockade, or some other matter of grievance. Why then, 
these things, the question recurs, but from a designedly fatal 
French influence ? If there be no understanding betw een the gov- 
ernments of France and the United States, how comes it to pass, 
that almost every measure of our administrations, certainly, for 
eight years past, have been in perfect coincidence with the anti- 
christian, commercial-destroying system of Europe } Why a. 
number of years since did the President of the French Conserva- 
tive Senate say, that " the United States would make commou 
cause with France and the northern powers of Europe against 
Great-Britain.*^-' How could he know this, if no eommunicatioirs 
liad been given and received on that subject ^ How came Bona- 
parte to say to his counsel, that '• the United States are on the 
worst terms with England and are seriously disposed to adopt our 
system ?'' How could IMr. Barlow^ know and declare in France, 
that there would be an embargo laid in the United States, at least 
sixty days before there were any intimations given of it to the 
people of this country ? And how could French politicians know^ 
before his arrival in the United States, that Mr. Jackson would 
be rejected by the American government ? [J\Ir. Sidlivan-s Speech 
delivured at Brentwood, County of Bockingham^ JVe.whampshire.'] 

The truth is, that, from the fatal moment of that rash act in 
Mr. Jefierson, of rejecting a treaty with Great-Britain, which 
his own ministers said, might with safety be adopted, a deaden- 
ing French influence, and a constant resti'ictive system, havt^ 
stretched forth their palsying arms over this once happy country ; 
till at last almost every fiber of commerce is cramped ; agrieul- 
ture blighted with mildew, and the heart of the nation frozen 
with horror. Her finances are gone, and her honor is in the dust. 
National disgrace, and national ruin stare her in the face and 
bid her prepare for the iron grasp of their hands. 

Not oulv these thinsis, but what little morality remains in 
the country is threatened with destruction. Every war is a de- 
structive thing to the morals of the people ; but this appears pe- 
culiarly calculated to promote tliat end. The immoral and the 
profane particularly appear to be chosen as commanders ,: and in 

* Memoirs of Jefferson. Vol. J. p. 246—255, Vol. II. p. 130. isr. 
236. 29r. r.oi." 



THE ALARM TRUMPET. 



J.'5 



^neral they are without even the form of godUness. Cliai)luii!9 
of aa unimpeachable character will, of course, lie unpopular iu 
an army who rely wholly upon an arm of flesh. Sucli appears to 
be the present army of the United States. They ajipear not lo 
efngage in tlie cause of God ; and of course it is not to be expect- 
ed that they will feel the need of his servants to ask His uid and 
protection How then can we expect, that they should be event- 
wally successful ? The fatal eticcts of the immorality, and the 
lawless liberty >\hich have niarked the progress of this war. are 
manifest in the danger which threatens tlie citizens, bo(h night 
and day. French outrages have nearly been rivalled by our sol- 
diery upon ourown citizens, iu many instaucci^, but in particular, 
that of Loyal Oliver.* Without regard to law, justice or even 
the feelings of humanity, citizens have been taken and couliued, 
without ceremony, merely upon the suspicion of tlic soldiery. In 
this way has the military, been set above the civil authority, 
"which is one bold step towards that military despotism which set 
Bonaparte upon the throne of France. Another is, wonderful lo 
tell ! passing wonderful to behold !! Mobs oti the part of achninis- 
iration !.'! As though it were not enough to be clothed with the 
authority of the nation, but its officers, in the discharge of their 
official duties, must go armed witli weapons of death, and shed 
the blood of citizens without a cause, or a shade of authoritv. 
Thus near are we to a state of complete anarchy, which is ihcr 
" Mormwood and the gall," that the wrath of God has mingled 
for that nation which will pollute themselves with the abomina- 
tions of France. Of this we must expect to drink if the present 
system of democracy and darkness prevails. 

"We look backward, and at a distance, just within our view, 
behold that summit of happiness and glory from which we have 
fallen. We look forward, and nought appears but, 

»#♦#**« «^ dark 

Elimitable ocean, without bound, 

AVithout dimension, where lengtli, breadtli and height, 

And time and place, are lost ; where eldest night 

And chaos, ancestors of nature, hold 

Eternal anarchy, amidst the noise 

Of endless fFars, and by confusion stand.'^ 

Such appears clearly to be the prospect before us. Would we 
shun the Charybdice, and agcdn stand in honor, safely and inde- 
pendence among the nations of the earth ? Then let all hear the 
alarm which is sounded from the statesmen, from the sanctuary 
and from the visible tokens of the Divine displeasure. If from 

* Loyal Oliver appears to have been a young' nian 19 years of age, 
a citizen of Champlain. On the 23d of June, i3l3, he ivas tak- 
en from a neighboring house, by force of arms, and withmit any 
charge against himn or reason given, he icas conveyed to Uv.rlington 

" 1) 



;.B THE ALARM TRUMPET. 

all these t!uugs,men will not be comnnced, it is doubtful whether 
thoy would be persuaded should a visible hand write, in legible 
charaoters, their sure overthrow and their inevitable destruetion, 
upon a wall over against them. 

Do you need more proof of the misery that will follow the 
train of evils which we already experience, if this war continues ? 
Go tlicn, to tliose miserable nation?, where the wars of French 
democracy and tyranny have raged, and learn from the smoke of 
burning cities, villages and hamlets ; from the groans and la- 
mentations of thousands driven to wretchedness and woe ! Go 
learu from the dust of fallen republics, the awful hazard of ven- 
turing into the great vortex where they have fallen, to rise no 
more. But if, when all is done, you say you love your masters ; 
you love the cause of anti-ehrist, and the cause of war, theu 
cease forever your complaining. Do not repine. Though you 
sliould be destined to wear the chains of a tyrant, you will love 
your masters. Send also to other misei'iible creatures, and shew 
them in what mysterious May a man can be a slave from choice. 
Teach them to delight in seeing their families and their friends 
suffer insult, and every indignity, from a band of lawless ruffians, 
or by a sanguinary and ruthless soldiery. Submit cheei-fuUy to 
Jill the miseries attendant on a state of anarchy , or a military 
despotism, in which you are liable to fall a sacrifice to any un- 
feeling monster who shall choose to assassinate you ; or in which 
the will of a commander is law, life and death. And when at 
last you shall be driven in exile without a friend, without a home; 
love your misery and solitude. Do not wander in some distant, 
unknown region, and cast an anxious look toward that land 
which was your country, and moum/whcn it shall be too late, 
your folly and madness in not hearkening to warnings and in- 
structions, when it was in your power to have escaped these mis- 
cries. Do not imagine that such ideas are the illusions of a dis- 
ordered fancy ; but look at many of the distressed nations of Eu- 
rope, and there you see the whole realized. 

Are these things too much for spirits who have been accus- 
tomed to the blessings of freedom ? Then arise, and forsake the 
standard and the camp of anti-ehrist, lest these be not the bit- 
terest dregs which you must drink. By every lawful and con- 
stitutional means in your poMcr, oppose the present chilling and 

■((•here he was detained in custody hy thejrrovost guard until July 2d. 
When he solicited a trial, he was told that as soon as witnesses should 
came 0)1, he should have his trial and be hanged ; " tliere is no oth- 
er way to deal with such fellows''' said the officer. In this state of 
suspense and au x'iety, he icas kept; frequently being threatened with 
death., anl yet his crime not knoicn, till the before mentioned 2d Ju- 
ly when Gen. Parker arrived at Burlington, took the command, aiid 
indered him delivered over to the civil authority, when none afpear-' 
Ing against him he was discharged and permitted to go at large. 



THE ALARM TRUMPET. 2^ 

cramping cause of democracy, which appears to have the de- 
struction of rational liberty for its object. Let the people rise, 
and in the majesty of their strength, hold fast to the constitution, 
while there is any life in it, as the Palladium of their rights, and 
as their last resort for union and safety at home. Let them he re- 
solved never to loose their liberties, Imt with their lives. 

Remember, that tlie time of these distresses is short, for al- 
ready, by pi'ophecy, you may see that soon the mighty ones of the 
Lord will come down, and then there will be multitudes of slain 
in the valley of decision. 

Brethren, come not into the paths of anti-christ ; for his 
" house is the way of hell, going down to the chambers of 
death." Yet some will folloAV his pernicious ways, and " know 
not that the dead are there, and that his guests are in the deptlis 
of hell." Into his assembly then, let not the honor of Americans he 
united. For the Lord " will plead against him with pestilenco 
and with blood, and will rain upon him and upon his bands, and 
upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and 
great hailstones, lire and brimstone." E^ekiel, xxxviii. 22, 



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